Sustainable waste management of perishables in a large retail : case study on Intermarchè, France
Sirotina, Elena (2016)
Sirotina, Elena
Turun ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016061412991
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016061412991
Tiivistelmä
Waste has always been an inseparatable part of human existence and that is how waste management issue appeared. Waste surrounds us everywhere, but only a few thinks about what can be done to reduce or avoid this waste. Since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, people have an opportunity to profit from all possible kind of service, and one of those are supermarkets, - the invention of the post Second World War period, with “unlimited”choice of goods.
According to the national statistic services, only in France 7.1 million tons of food is wasted annually, representing up to €20bn of national costs. Unfortunately, food wastage is thought to be not harmful for the environment, since people tend to think that biodegradable is being turned into compost, while landfilling. However, it is not like this, and biowaste can be composted only when biologically treated; otherwise it emits very dangerous gases (methane), and contributes to green house effect. That is why waste management of perishables should become a prerequisite for the largest generators of this type of waste.
In an ideal situation, a retail chain should try to minimize its waste of perishables to the possible minimum, and treat those biowaste that nevertheless occurred. This thesis focuses of sustainability in purchasing and waste management of perishables in a large retail. This thesis is going to reveal the most sustainable purchasing and mechanical biological treatment options, and then analyze the current situation in the case company Intermarchè located in Aubenas, France. Based on this analysis, the case company will be advised on improvement opportunities.
According to the national statistic services, only in France 7.1 million tons of food is wasted annually, representing up to €20bn of national costs. Unfortunately, food wastage is thought to be not harmful for the environment, since people tend to think that biodegradable is being turned into compost, while landfilling. However, it is not like this, and biowaste can be composted only when biologically treated; otherwise it emits very dangerous gases (methane), and contributes to green house effect. That is why waste management of perishables should become a prerequisite for the largest generators of this type of waste.
In an ideal situation, a retail chain should try to minimize its waste of perishables to the possible minimum, and treat those biowaste that nevertheless occurred. This thesis focuses of sustainability in purchasing and waste management of perishables in a large retail. This thesis is going to reveal the most sustainable purchasing and mechanical biological treatment options, and then analyze the current situation in the case company Intermarchè located in Aubenas, France. Based on this analysis, the case company will be advised on improvement opportunities.